JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
The Marion County Commission approved the renewal for a contract regarding the removal of beavers in Marion County by local wildlife contractor Bill Swan III.
The renewal was approved through a roll call vote with ten of the commissioners agreeing to have the contract renewed for another year, while the other five voted to decline the contract. One of which was Commissioner Steven Franklin, who felt that the renewal could have been postponed and made for next year, since this year has been a particularly dry year for the environment.
In response, Swan explained that there were several beavers he had managed to trap over the course of the summer and fall season since July. Afterward, he also mentioned how Marion County, as well as much of the Southeastern United States is a hot spot for beaver activity.
“Beaver is probably one of the number one animals that is a problem right now.” Swan detailed. One of the main reasons is due to a lack of fur value and as a result there is a low need for the trapping market. This in turn causes a significant increase in beaver activity, which could cause major damage for local crops and even public infrastructure due to flooding from rain. According to Swan, beavers are responsible for over $300 million dollars in timber damage each year in the Southeast alone.
Another contributing factor for Marion County in particular is its close proximity to the Tennessee River and Nickajack Lake, two major and never ending sources of water for beavers to retreat to.
The board approved the renewal of beaver trappings for Swan’s business, ensuring that the local beaver populace can be tracked and maintained for both the environment and towns of Marion County.
